Wild HK photos

Introduction

The automatic features typical of cameras today have helped make the technical aspects of photography relatively easy. But it's not enough to rely on automation; to ensure your camera delivers the best photos, you should know how to both use and over-ride the automatic features.

If you're to make really good photos, photography is not a technical subject. This article only briefly covers the technical aspects, and equipment; instead, emphasises techniques for creating good, even outstanding images.

Creating a good image depends partly on photographing the subject, with few or no extras. Composition is important: for instance, it's rarely best to place the main subject in the centre of a photo. Also consider aspects such as colours, textures, patterns. Ideally, a photograph will be a dynamic image.

It's important to look at work by good and great photographers. Also, look around, all the time; look for photo possibilities, notice times when the light seems just right for making photos.

If it's worth taking one picture, it's worth taking two, or even three, or thirty or more.

Equipment

Gear: cameras, lenses, filters, tripods. Film, and CCD sensors.

Tons of fancy gear available; and while there are times when need telephotos etc, you can learn the basics with simple point-and-shoot cameras: can even take great shots with them.

Basic Photography

Subject with light, exposure - getting correct exposure means correct combination of f-stop and shutter speed. But - "correct" exposure can be subjective. Best if learn to override any auto exposure features at times: notably, maybe need to over-expose when image mainly of whiter shades; under expose when blacker (as auto exposure tends to figure on making overall image around equivalent to shade of grey).

Depth of field important too. If can vary this: can have very wide depth of field for, say, landscapes; while short depth will tend to highlight main subject, as rest of image maybe blurry.

Effects of short and long exposures worth considering. Short exposures freezing movement. Long exposures reveal movement - maybe like water plunging down fall.

Composition

You're "editing" part of the world into a rectangular or maybe square image.
Rule of thirds and other "formulae" for arranging subject matter within frames. Rule of thirds means to position major parts of photo a third from one or more edges: horizon might be a third from top or bottom; something that's relatively small by will be eye-catching could be a third of the way up and a third of the way from one side. There are various other such "rules".
Variations possible using wide angle and telephoto lenses (and zooms).

Light

Intensity; direction. Colours. Colour temperature - varies with time of day.
Variation with times of day - including "golden hour" beloved of National Geographic photographers (ie  soon after dawn, and before sunset: light quality can be great then, and shadows not so harsh as at midday)- and time of year.
Hong Kong: smoggy autumn and winter cause major problems. Days for shooting in clear weather now mainly only in summer.
But, don't just take photos on sunny days; mists and storms can make for atmospheric shots.
Use of flash: simple on camera flash can be ok, can be harsh. Learn to turn off auto flash at times, see what happens. When there are harsh shadows on subject during day, or subject is in shade against bright background, try forcing the camera to use flash: can make major difference.

Reflectors can also help reduce harsh shadows. Can buy folding reflectors; but sheets can be used - and can look around, maybe find a wall (say) makes a good reflector.

Movement

Movement real and apparent in images.

Ways the eye moves when looking at photos.

Shapes

Real shapes, and shapes that result within the image.

Patterns

Patterns that exist; and patterns that are created when taking photos.

Landscapes

Including mountains, coasts etc - ie major landscapes in Hong Kong. General principles; shooting familiar places, using maps to find places that may be good for making photos.

Habitats

For instance, woodland, streams - including waterfalls.

Geology

Rocks; aim for texture.

Animals

Can require special knowledge, to photography animals (and birds) in the wild; but also get som lucky encounters whilst out.
Insects, spiders etc: may require macro lenses, probably with flash.
Reptiles and amphibians: may find in wild, but maybe someone can catch, so can photograph in natural surroundings before release.
Birds: easiest at Mai Po. Use of telephoto lenses; digi-scoping. Stalking birds, and using hides.
Mammals: tough here; for many, need cameras tripped by infra-red beams being broken (too specialised for me to cover). Can shoot in captivity. Also, bats - can find them roosting in caves/tunnels.

People

A little re taking photos of people, including people within landscapes.

Plants

Perhaps surprisingly, movement is an issue with plants: can bounce about in even light breezes. Might have to wait till breeze eases, or shelter them somehow.

Reflectors can help enliven flowers and foliage. Include trees here; also flowers.

Underwater

Very briefly on taking aquatic animal shots.